New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) walks into the locker room after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 36-35 on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in East Rutherford.(Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD - Unless Eli Manning and the New York Giants are punking all of us, whichever side of the debate regarding his future you are on, the franchise's quarterback for the last 15 seasons sounds just as uncertain as anyone about what might come next.

In his weekly radio interview with WFAN, on the eve of his 38th birthday, Manning expressed a desire to keep playing, although by the end of his spot he admitted there would be "soul-searching" for all involved, insisting he isn't leaning one way or the other right now.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman met the media in his season-ending news conference and would not commit to Manning as the Giants' quarterback for next season. He was complimentary of the two-time Super Bowl MVP and certainly did not rule out a return.

Asked by host Mike Francesa if it was fair to say that we haven't seen the last of Eli Manning as a quarterback, Manning replied: "We will see. I don’t know if it’s leaning one way or the other right now. I think this is kind of the time to reflect and figure out what’s the best thing going forward.”

The Giants finished 5-11 and Manning has one year left on his current contract, which would pay him $23.2 million in 2019. The Giants have lost double-digit games in four of the last five seasons, leading to coaching changes three times over that span, but Gettleman and Manning are in agreement that the team has turned a corner.

Of course, Manning played a significant role in putting two of the franchise's four Vince Lombardi trophies in the lobby of the team's training facility. The Giants have just two winning seasons with Manning at quarterback in the seven seasons since they won Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

"It does feel like two different careers," Manning said.

Of his meeting with Gettleman, which the player requested, Manning said: "A lot of it was, Let's just have an open conversation through this process. ... I'll be totally honest to them and vice versa. We've gotta figure out what's gonna happen going forward."

He later added: "Losing games, it's hard to swallow. ... Everybody will be soul-searching just to figure out what's the best thing going forward."

Asked if there was a timeline for a decision on his future with the Giants, Manning said: "I assume I'll just have conversations with Mr. Gettleman going forward, and see what's best, and see what we need to do."

Manning would be due a guaranteed $5 million roster bonus on March 18, five days into the new league year.